Tonto Natl Forest Travel Mgmt Comment Period.

[cmc]

Here is your chance to express to the Forest Service your thoughts on the Tonto Travel Management plan.


http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tonto...STELPRDB5346557

Travel Management public comment period begins

Release Date: Jan 6, 2012

Environmental Assessment, Tonto National Forest

Phoenix (January 6, 2012) –Tonto National Forest officials are seeking comments on the Travel Management Environmental Assessment (EA). The 30-day comment period begins January 6.

The action is a proposed system of roads, trails and areas. Based on previous public input, several alternatives are proposed in this draft Environmental Assessment (EA). The final product will be a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) that shows which roads and trails will be open to motor vehicle use. The decision will also amend the Tonto National Forest Plan.

In 2005, the Department of Agriculture enacted a new planning rule to manage motorized vehicle use on all national forests and grasslands. This rule requires the Tonto National Forest to designate those roads, trails, and areas that are open to motor vehicle use. Designations will be made by class of vehicle and, if appropriate, by time of year. The final rule will prohibit the use of motor vehicles off the designated system, as well as use of motor vehicles on routes and in areas that are not consistent with the designations.

“Public involvement at this time is a critical component in developing a motorized travel system,” stated Sharon Wallace, Public Services Group leader. “During this comment period, we are hoping to get representative viewpoints and suggestions from a cross-section of forest visitors.

“The purpose of the Motor Vehicle Use Map is to comply with the requirements of the Travel Management Rule, to reduce problems caused by uncontrolled off-road travel, and to improve the current system of travel routes for public access and enjoyment. The development of a Motor Vehicle Use Map is an adaptive process in which future changes can be made in the public interest.”

A copy of the travel management environmental assessment can be found at the forest web page at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto under the Travel Management Plan link.

Print or CD copies of the EA are available at the Forest Supervisor’s Office at 2324 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, Arizona, or one of six forest district offices.

Comments must be submitted within 30 days following date of the legal notice published in the Capitol Times on January 6, 2012. Please submit comments using one of the methods below (listed in order of preference for ease of processing through the content analysis process):

• Internet (using a comment form): https://cara.ecosystem-management.o...t?Project=28967
• Email: comments-southwestern-TMRTonto@fs.fed.us
• Postal mail:
  Travel Management Team Leader
  Tonto National Forest
  2324 E McDowell Rd.
  Phoenix AZ, 85006
• Phone: 602-225-5213

Comments will only be considered if a full name and a physical mailing address are included. Comments become part of the public record.

If you have any questions concerning this process, please contact Genevieve Johnson at 602-225-5213, or by email at grjohnson@fs.fed.us

For more information about the program, please visit the Tonto National Forest webpage at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto or call the Tonto National Forest Supervisor’s Office, (602) 225-5200.

[CouesWhitetail]

Thanks for posting this Chris....

[cmc]

well I stand corrected as i thought today was the last day but it seems it was yesterday. sorry about that

[Dan H]

There is a meeting in Tonto Basin tonight I will be attending and another at Roosevelt Fri afternoon.

Then Young is the last one I believe. I tried to attach the map but to large of a file.

 

I will post info and comments from tonights meeting on here over the weekend.

 

The public really needs to step up and e-mail or respond with their concerns in writing before the deadlines mentioned in attachment or don't complain when the changes go thru.

 

 

Rumor is also closure of primitive camp sites at salt river lakes, removal of designated sites and or even private company taking over and managing designated camp sites with increased fees.

$900,000 budget shortfall and a 5.5 million dollar cost to maintain basically means closure of some facilities this could include boat ramps.

 

Please read the attachment.

 

 

 

Dan

 

 

 

2013-02199.pdf

[4Falls]

Thanks for the info Dan.

[cmc]

One of the dangerous aspects of the TMP is how they are dealing with camping. Devils in the details.

[pwrguy]

Another dog and pony show!!!

[Dan H]

Well this meeting was strictly addressing the camp grounds, facilities etc in tonto nat'l forest and along the salt river lakes, bascally there's no revenue to maintain all the sites, they have come up with a few options to resolve like sell out to private firm to manage it all, raise price of public permits, partner shipping with local clubs and organizations to help managethe sites.

 

The most votes in the Basin went towards increasing fees to keep everything, and partnership with local orgs.

They were also taking comments on improvements that need to be done and changes that need to be made.

 

The travel management was not open for discussion at this meeting and the next meeting is currently not scheduled but I can say they are going to pretty much mimic Coconino's changes.

 

The proposed draft map is currently available on their website and it shows all changes that are going to be made.